Nissan takes up US electric recharge fight

Nissan is supplying New York City with fuel-efficient cabs, including six electric cars for testing.

However, the Japanese carmaker has also acknowledged uncertainties about an ongoing "debate" over charging standards for electric vehicles.

The battle in fast-charging stations, the equivalent of petrol stations for electric vehicles, is threatening to turn into a futuristic replay of other major platform wars like VHS versus Beta in video during the 1980s.

Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer says the debate is still going on, and it's unknown whether nations will adopt the CHAdeMo used by Nissan or the competing one called Combo backed by General Motors and European carmakers.

The standards use different plugs and aren't compatible.

Palmer says Nissan as a leader in electric vehicles must persuade others that its standard is the best.

"The disadvantage is that we are setting the standard," he said on Tuesday, adding that Nissan was "engaged in that debate" over charging standards.

CHAdeMo, which comes from the words "charge" and "move," and sounds like Japanese for, "Care for some tea?" is also backed by Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Nissan said its petrol-engine NV200 vehicle, painted yellow, is set to start running as New York taxis in October 2013, and six Leaf electric vehicles will be part of a pilot program this year.

However, it is still unclear whether New York will opt for CHAdeMo.

Electric vehicles' limited cruise range means they can be used only for short trips or towns must invest in building charging stations.

"If we can get the combination right, the EV is very viable," said Palmer.

At least one electric-car competitor has proposed using replacement batteries for electric vehicles so they can keep running, rather than using charging stations, Palmer said.

Although charging stations would not be needed, service stations would have to pick up the used batteries.

Electric vehicles can also be recharged from regular home sockets but it takes longer.